The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and relevant links.

Jura Limestone

The above photo was taken on October 31, 2003 in the upland area between Krakow and Czestochowa , Poland, commonly referred to the Jura region. The white, limestone rocks are made from the mineral calcite, which formed from the sedimentation of skeletons and shells of creatures that lived in seas covering most of Europe about 150 million years ago. The Jurassic Period (approximately 206 to 144 million years ago) gets its name from the Jura Region.

Jura is an amazing geographic region. Superb white peaks, waterfalls, springs, caves, beautiful woodland and even a desert. Yes, a desert in a middle of a Europe! In addition, in the Krakowsko-Czestochowska upland territory, a number of wildlife reservations can be found. One of the smallest, but one of most beautiful in Poland is the Ojcowski National Park.

Aside from its geography and geology, the Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska is also an interesting historical region. On inaccessible rocky hills, ruins of stony, medieval fortresses can still be seen. These structures are strung along the hilly ridges extending westwards from Ojców towards Czestochowa. They're known as the Szlak Orlich Gniazd (Eagles' Nest Trail).